EFL weekend preview: Celestini starts at Burnley as Bradford host Huddersfield

Burnley begin life under Fabio Celestini after Nicky Hayen’s dismissal, while Bradford host League One leaders Huddersfield and Fleetwood return to League Two action after their cup win over Arsenal.

Saturday’s programme brings immediate tests for promotion hopefuls and struggling sides alike. Middlesbrough can extend their unbeaten run against Charlton, West Ham need a response to defeat by Southampton, and Salford’s winning sequence faces an improving Exeter.

EFL weekend preview: Celestini faces Burnley’s home problem

Celestini’s first assignment is Portsmouth at Turf Moor on Saturday, with Burnley needing more than the temporary lift that can accompany a managerial change.

The Clarets have gone 21 home league matches without a victory. Their defending at dead balls offers an obvious starting point: they have conceded nine Championship goals from set-piece situations this season, including six from corners, according to the EFL’s Opta statistics.

That gives the new head coach a specific problem to address. Burnley need to become harder to score against without retreating into the uncertainty that has accompanied their poor start.

Portsmouth arrive with confidence. John Mousinho’s side have taken three wins and a draw from their past four league matches, climbing to 11th and within two points of the play-off places, as detailed in BBC Sport’s weekend assessment.

For Celestini, the first measure of progress will be whether Burnley can produce a more controlled performance against opponents moving in the opposite direction.

West Ham need a faster start against West Brom

West Ham’s scoring record suggests a team equipped to challenge near the top. Their starts to matches tell a less reassuring story.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have scored 32 goals in their opening 12 league games, but 20 have arrived after half-time. Across all competitions, 15 of the 20 goals they have conceded have come before the interval, according to BBC Sport’s analysis.

Last weekend’s 3-2 defeat by Southampton exposed that weakness again, with West Ham falling two goals behind inside 11 minutes.

West Brom visit the London Stadium on Saturday with their own capacity to recover: Albion have already collected 11 Championship points from losing positions. West Ham therefore need both a better opening and the discipline to sustain it.

Our West Ham vs West Brom guide has the kick-off and viewing details.

Elsewhere, Middlesbrough host Charlton with contrasting runs behind the teams. Boro are unbeaten in 10 league matches; Charlton have gone nine without winning after taking maximum points from their opening three, according to the EFL’s Championship statistics.

Lincoln’s lunchtime meeting with Birmingham is another test of momentum. Lincoln beat Burnley 4-1 in their previous league match, while Birmingham are looking to respond to defeat at Cardiff.

Duffy gives Derby another option at Millwall

Derby head to The Den with John Eustace trying to manage a difficult start and a depleted defence.

Shane Duffy’s arrival on an initial two-month contract provides an experienced option. Derby have confirmed he is available for Saturday, although that does not guarantee a start.

Dion Sanderson’s suspension adds to the selection problems following his dismissal in the draw at Sheffield United. Duffy gives Eustace another specialist centre-back.

Bradford and Huddersfield put promotion form to the test

The West Yorkshire derby carries significance beyond local bragging rights.

Huddersfield visit Bradford on Saturday lunchtime as League One leaders, unbeaten in five league matches. Bradford are fourth, three points behind them, and have put together an eight-match unbeaten league run.

Bradford won the corresponding fixture 3-1 last season. Huddersfield’s broader recent record in the derby is stronger, however, with four victories in the past six league meetings, according to the EFL’s League One statistics.

There is another derby at Mansfield, where Notts County must overcome an uncomfortable record. County have lost their past six away league meetings with the Stags and are still seeking their first away league win this season.

Sunday’s League One fixture takes Blackpool to Sheffield Wednesday. Matt Hamshaw began his interim spell with a 1-1 draw against Cambridge in midweek; the next opportunity to build on that performance comes against a Blackpool side with four points from their past eight league games.

Fleetwood must turn cup success into league points

Fleetwood’s reward for eliminating Arsenal from the Carabao Cup is a quarter-final against Everton. Before that, Matt Lawlor’s side have pressing league business.

Bristol Rovers visit on Saturday with Fleetwood having lost five of their past seven League Two matches. The contrast is stark: a side capable of producing one of the season’s biggest cup results still needs to arrest a damaging league run.

Rovers have won only once in nine away Football League visits to Fleetwood, according to the EFL’s League Two statistics. The challenge for the hosts is to bring Tuesday’s intensity into a match carrying a different kind of pressure.

At the top, Salford host Exeter after seven successive wins. Exeter have won four of their past five league games themselves, making this a substantial test for both teams.

Salford’s attacking threat meets an Exeter defence that has conceded just two goals from open play in League Two this season, according to the EFL’s League Two statistics. Matt Taylor has acknowledged the quality of the leaders’ forward play, but wants his own side to shape the contest, as reported by BBC Sport.

Selected EFL fixtures this weekend

All times are GMT.

Fixture	Division	Kick-off
Lincoln City vs Birmingham City	Championship	Saturday, 12.30pm
Stoke City vs Preston North End	Championship	Saturday, 12.30pm
Bradford City vs Huddersfield Town	League One	Saturday, 12.30pm
Burnley vs Portsmouth	Championship	Saturday, 3pm
Middlesbrough vs Charlton Athletic	Championship	Saturday, 3pm
Millwall vs Derby County	Championship	Saturday, 3pm
West Ham United vs West Bromwich Albion	Championship	Saturday, 3pm
Mansfield Town vs Notts County	League One	Saturday, 3pm
Fleetwood Town vs Bristol Rovers	League Two	Saturday, 3pm
Salford City vs Exeter City	League Two	Saturday, 3pm
Sheffield Wednesday vs Blackpool	League One	Sunday, 2pm

Stoke against Preston is live on Sky Sports Football at 12.30pm on Saturday. Lincoln against Birmingham and Bradford against Huddersfield are available on Sky Sports+ at the same time. The EFL’s broadcast guide lists the weekend’s television and streaming options.